Electric insect destroyer



Dec. 21 192e. r1,611,652).

H. H. LEEDOM ELECTRIC INSECT DESTROYE Filed oct. v; 1925 Tail..

Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES HENRY HOMER LEEDOM, 0F ANDERSON, INDIANA.

ELECTRIC INSECT DESTROYER.

Application led October 7, 1925. Serial No. 61,026.

My invention relates to electric insect destroyers of the general type wherein a plurality ot' lengths of electrically charged wire are disposed adjacent and parallel to each other in such a mannerthat the insects will be electrocuted by completing or closing the normally open circuit that is maintained, the current bridging the adjacent wires through the Ybody of the insect that comes into contact with or in close proximity to said wires.

In devices of this character, it is highly essential that the Wires be properly tensioned, in order that they may be kept taut, without sagging, as the propel` operation of the apparatus 1s dependent upon the space that is maintained between adjacent wires, such space being adjusted to suit the different conditions that exist, as regards the strength of current, the thickness ofthe wire and like considerations.

The scope of my invention extends to whatever constructions may be defined by or included within the terms or language of the appended claims.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation thereofand Figure?) is a view in perspectiveiof one of the end members comprising the frame of my invention.

My invention, in the form or embodiment shown in the drawing and briefly described, comprises a substantially rectangular frame,

a plurality of relatively fine wires arranged parallel to each other, an extremely simple ind novel means of retaining the Wires in their relative position with respect to the frame and means for readily varying the tension of the group of wires.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the rectangularframe indicated generally as at 10, consists of a pair of insulation members, suchgas wood or the like, 11 and 12, and a pair of metallic rods, 13.. The insulation strips, 11 and 12, are each formed on one of its surfaces with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves or recesses, 14, of a. slightly greater depth than the width of each oit the grooves, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Openings, 15 and 16, are drilled into the opposing sides of the, insulation strips, 11 and 12, preferably near the ends thereof, for the purpose of receiving the extreme ends of the parallel rods, 13. i These rods, 13, are

merely slipped into the openings, 15 and 16, formed in the insulation strips, 11 and 12,

vthereby providing a relatively strong construction to the rectangular frame, 10, and one which may be manufactured on ahigh production basis. Although the rods, 13,

are firmly seated within the insulation strip,

11, the opposite end of the rod is slidably mounted with respect to the insulation strip, 12, so that the relative length 10, may be varied at assembly.

Adjusting screws, 17, are located through the insulation strip, 12, and arranged in axial alignment with the metallic rods, 13. Nuts, 18, may be located within the cut-out portions, 19, formed on the outer end of one of the grooves, 14, as is clearly indicated in the several figures of the accompanying drawing.

A plurality of relatively thin wires, 20, are located upon the'upper surface of the frame, l0, and extend alternatelyv between of the frame,

the grooves, 14, so that each alternate wire will have a current of the opposite polarity. The ends of these wires are extended downwardly into the grooves, 14, and are passed around metallic strips, 21, which are snugly fitted or wedged into the grooves or recesses, 14, as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

The stri s- 21, have electrical connection with the blnding posts, 22 and 23, by means of the leads, 24 and 25. The usual electrical house current may be supplied to the termi nals or binding posts, 22 and 23.,

For readily placing my'mproved electrical insect destroyer in any desired position,

I provide openings, 26, in the `insulation strips, 11 and 12.

In order to eiectually electrocute insects, such as iiies or mosquitoes, immediately upon their coming in contact with any pair of wires, 20, of opposite polarity, the tensioning screws, 17, may be readily adjusted to take up the desired slack to give the entire series of wires the required tension.

What Iclaim is:

1. In an electric insect destroyer, an open frame comprising a pair of insulation strips, each having a groove extending longitudinally thereof, a metallic strip disposed within each of said grooves, the upper edges thereof extending below the insulation strip, a plurality of parallel lengths of wires arranged between said metallic strips, and means to supply the adjacent lengths of wires with current of opposite polarity.

Q. An electric insect destroyer comprising a pair of spaced insulation strips having longitudinally extending grooves therein, rods connected between said strips, a metallic strip arran ed within each of the grooves, a plurality o closely arranged wires connected between tbe spaced insulation strips and means for varying the tension of the said plurality of Wires.

3. An electric insect destroyer comprising a pair of spaced insulation strips having longitudinally extending grooves therein,

rodsconnerted between said strips, a metallic strip arranged within each of the grooves, a plurality of closely arranged wires connected between the spaced insulation` means for varying the tension of tlie said plurality of wires` and means to supply the adjacent lengths of Wires With current of opposite polarity.

HENRY HOMER LlllGDOM. 

